South Korea’s Jeju Island is preparing to launch an innovative digital tourism resident card system that uses non-fungible token (NFT) technology to enhance the visitor experience and stimulate local economic activity. The initiative supports South Korea’s broader push toward digital identity solutions, including the country’s planned rollout of mobile resident registration cards in December 2024.
The initiative, scheduled to begin trial operations in the second half of 2025, will provide tourists with a blockchain-based digital card offering various benefits, including travel subsidies, membership perks, and discounts at local attractions. The system incorporates similar security principles to those being implemented in other Korean digital identity projects, such as the decentralized identity pilots that feature advanced biometric verification.
The system allows tourists to document their travel experiences on the blockchain, including visited locations, timestamps, photos, and videos. The underlying blockchain technology ensures the security and uniqueness of these digital assets, following similar principles to existing NFT-based identity verification systems that have emerged in recent years.
The program will integrate with Jeju’s local currency, “Desired Jeon,” through which travel support funds will be distributed to cardholders. The integration aims to boost local consumption and economic activity within the island region, representing a practical application of blockchain technology in tourism management.
The digital tourism initiative is part of Jeju Island’s broader strategy of embracing blockchain and cryptocurrency innovations. The island has been positioning itself as a web3 hub within South Korea’s technology landscape, following the country’s growing expertise in digital identity solutions, as demonstrated by companies like RaonSecure’s work on international digital identity projects.
The NFT-based system offers technological benefits beyond traditional tourist cards, using blockchain technology to prevent unauthorized access and establish clear ownership of digital assets. The approach mirrors successful implementations of blockchain technology in travel identity management, such as those seen in various digital travel credential initiatives. Following the initial trial period in late 2025, authorities plan to implement the system on a full scale.
Sources: MK News, Crypto News
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